Kaneko Daiei 金子大榮 （1881-1976） was a scholar of Buddhist studies belonging to the Shinshū Ōtani-ha. Kaneko studied and was influenced by not only Shin Buddhism but also by various doctrines of other Buddhist sects. Therefore, his understanding of Buddhism is unique.
He thought that the Pure Land is a homeland for all sentient beings, and, for sentient beings, returning to the Pure Land is salvation. When they wish to return to the Pure Land, the bodhisattva appears in their faith. This bodhisattva is Dharmākara bodhisattva from the Sukhāvatīvyūha sūtra. The power demonstrated by Dharmākara is what we call “other power.”
Kaneko interpreted this bodhisattvaʼs appearance as the perfection of two aspects of merit-transference expressed by Shinran. Moreover, he explained that the Other Power of the bodhisattva makes sentient beings practice the samantabhadra-caryā. The word samantabhadra-caryā has a meaning to indoctrinate all sentient beings with perfect freedom. On this point, Kanekoʼs understanding is very enthusiastic and distinctive in the field of Shin Buddhist studies.
